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Tipperary – M&J Gleeson Staff Borrisoleigh Threaten Strike Action

Employees at the former M&J Gleeson plant in Borrisoleigh may decide to take strike action this evening in an ongoing dispute over the takeover, just last year, by the multi-national C&C group plc. This threat comes following a recommendation by the Labour Court calling on the multi-national drinks firm to recognise a newly established union at the Borrisoleigh/Tipperary facility, which would allow for negotiations on future redundancies and pay cuts.

C&C took over from M&J Gleeson (November 2012) and Bulmers in Clonmel (May2013), but while Bulmers in Clonmel are fully unionised, the SIPTU union have only recently been established at the Borrisoleigh plant.

C&C are now refusing to recognise SIPTU, citing the previous Union stance of M&J Gleeson. Employees however claim that this has greatly impacted negatively in a number of areas including lower redundancy packages, pay cuts and new employment terms and conditions.

On October 30th SIPTU sought a hearing with the Labour Court, latter which recommended M&J Gleeson and C&C should engage with SIPTU for the purposes of ongoing collective bargaining. However the multinational company refused to attend the hearing and staff have yet to get a response to this Labour Court recommendation.

Workers will now meet in the Marian Hall, Main Street, Borrisoleigh this evening to further discuss these developments and ballot the workforce, with a view to possible strike action at the company.